Netflix Boards Lee Chang-dong’s First Film Since ‘Burning’

It’s been a long, silent stretch since Lee Chang-dong’s “Burning” lit up Cannes back in 2018— seven years, to be exact. But the revered South Korean auteur of melancholic realism is ready to return behind the camera.

Earlier in the month, I reported that “Possible Love” would mark Lee Chang-dong’s first feature since his seven-year hiatus. Jeon Do-yeon, Seol Kyung-gu, and Jo In-sung are set to star. The shoot is expected to take place later this year, with post-production eyed for completion in the first half of 2026.

With that said, you can forget a bow at Cannes, which has been the go-to spot for the filmmaker to premiere his films. Korean media is reporting that Netflix has hopped onboard and basically saved the project after one of the producers inexplicably backed out.

Cannes and Netflix haven’t played nice since 2018, when the festival banned films without a French theatrical release from competing for the Palme d’Or.

The issue? France’s strict 36-month window between theatrical and streaming — something Netflix won’t agree to. Rather than bend, Netflix pulled its films altogether, opting for Venice and TIFF instead. So unless something changes, don’t expect “Possible Love” anywhere near the Croisette.

Regardless, “Burning” — arguably Lee’s best — capped off a run that includes “Poetry,” “Secret Sunshine,” and “Peppermint Candy,” all critical darlings in their own right. Netflix or not, this one’s shaping up to be a major event for international cinema in 2026.